In Plain Sight – Mary’s Dad returns

In “Medal of Mary,” old ghosts return to haunt Marshal Mary Shannon. This week, the audience learns what drives her list-making, her resentful feelings towards her family, and her utter hatred of con men. It felt sad watching a nine-year-old year Mary play mother to her mother and newborn sister while cataloguing her mother’s mood, and anticipating her father’s needs. In season three, episode six, “No Clemency for Old Men,” I never understood Mary’s con hatred, declaring: “Ex-cons are all the same – they tell me what they want to know and when I turn around they shank me in the back.” But, now I know why.

Upon seeing her father, the most charming, charismatic, genuine-seeming man, I understood. Mary might seem paranoid, but with a father bugging her house, meeting her daughter while disguised as a buyer and renting an apartment near hers, no wonder she walks three steps before her witnesses. With a father that devious, you have to adapt.

I loved the grainy, ’70s-looking flashback scenes. And, I loved this episode, its writing and the relationships. Even so, the writers threw me a curveball and then punched me in the gut.

Curveball #1: I love the Marshall and Mary relationship. I loved this week’s return to their usual dynamic. Yet, watching Marshall hover over Mary while insisting she share her feelings with him first confused me. Sure, he stood by her as she adjusted to her job and shared with him her familial details; but, I couldn’t understand why he claimed ownership of her emotional unburdening, considering that’s what a boyfriend (or female BFF) does. But, a newly engaged friend might support her by encouraging her to talk to whoever, be it Stan, Delia, her former lovers or her therapist. But, he wouldn’t claim the honor of being her first. Even when Marshall FINALLY laid down some hard truths to Mary, I didn’t understand. Yet, when Marshall’s dad laid down the same hard truths to his son, I understood. And that’s the curveball.

I’ve FINALLY gotten over expecting Mary and Marshall would get together. I’ve FINALLY swallowed their relationship as purely platonic. I’ve FINALLY accepted Abigail as the love of Marshall’s life. And, this week we receive hints that it might unravel. Ironically enough I first thought, “Abigail and Marshall can’t break up, it would hurt Abigail too much.” They’ve definitely done a good job developing the character this season so that I actually like her, and find myself rooting for her.

However, after five years on my end watching Marshall and Mary while hoping they’d get together, I’m not going to get my hopes up …. again. On the one hand, it could happen. Mary’s more reasonable this season. While she’s still our strong, independent, kickass wise-cracker Mary, she’s more mature. She might give Jinx a hard time, but she clearly trusts Jinx with her daughter. She might dislike WitSec politics, but she doesn’t start unnecessary fights with female authorities. This season, we have the Mary we always wanted without losing her unflappable strength, her sarcastic dark humor and her uber-awesomeness.

Although Mary has grown, has Marshall? He’s still kickass Marshal Marshall Mann, but can he prove as strong as Mary (not just a strong listener)? Can he provide her with more than emotional support (you know, in the sexual healing way)? Does he see Mary as Mary or does he see a woman he always held a torch for? I wish he’d explain what attracted him to her and why he continues to hold onto that crush. Could he really act as a stepfather to Mary’s child?

This season has sewed up a lot of loose ends concerning Mary, her family, and now her father. However, her relationship with Marshall and his continuing feelings for her remain the last hurdle.

I loved this episode because it returned to season one loose ends, including evil Agent O’ Connor. Poor Mary, she has such an uber-sense of justice. She always opposed ex-cons who received a second life through WitSec. No doubt seeing her on-the-run father who committed crimes and abandoned her family receive a wiped slate, needled her greatly. Yet, I’m surprised he trusted Mary despite the 30+ years of distance.

However, I love the writing parallel of Marshall acting like a partner and Mary’s father just using the word. Maybe Mary finally noticed Marshall’s ceaseless devotion. But, does she see him as a partner who she never fully acknowledged, or something more?

Gut punch #1: They killed Scott!?! Part of me suspects Scott is in cahoots with the partner. But, if he isn’t, I’ve come to love all of these characters in the ensuing years. Although he’s only appeared in six episodes, he’s still Mary’s brother.

Additional Thoughts:

• Nice use of Delia without forcing it.
• Only Mary would use emotion and sentiment as a tool for evil and only Mary’s father would use his disease to escape custody.
• What’s wrong with O’ Connor? His op killed Mary’s brother and he STILL goes after her? Surprisingly, Mary backed down.
• Wow, Mary is really good at what she does.

Quotes:

“Ready to saddle up and bait the hook?” – Mary’s dad
“Where we going? The mixed metaphor store?” – Mary

“Inspector. Good work.” – Douchebag O’Connor
“Suck it, douchebag.” – Mary

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Apr 22, 2012 @ 16:05 EST5EDT